Parents’ Overview of Options at College

Helping your child to choose

Here you will find information on what you need to know before you begin and tips on how to make the most out of your search.

When deciding which subject(s) to study at college, your child may wish to consider the subjects they enjoy at school and what career they would like to have in the future. School leavers have the option to study different types of qualifications:

A Levels

• Option to study three different subjects in depth
• Teaching is mostly classroom based
• Career options are kept open
• Can lead to university

Apprenticeships

• Combine study with paid work – earn while you learn
• Trains you for a specific profession
• Broad choice of programmes available
• Can study up to degree level

Career-focused Courses (including BTECs)

• Emphasis on practical skills in a specific profession
• Assessments are usually through work-related assignments
• Lots of hands-on work using industry standard facilities
• Level 3 qualifications can lead to university

T Levels

• Combine classroom-based teaching with real-world experience for greater employability skills
• Provides sought-after experience with employers through a 45-day industry placement
• Can lead directly to employment, apprenticeships, or university-level courses

School leavers also have the option to ‘Mix and Match’ up to two A Levels with a vocational/BTEC course.

Visiting the College

Our Open Events give you the opportunity to:

• Meet our experienced lecturers and discuss your son/daughter’s options
• Explore the College campus and facilities, including our new University Centre Farnborough and Learner Services areas
• Speak to current students about college life

You can simply arrive on the night or pre-register online. By registering online, you will have the option to receive helpful information from us before the event, including a map of the College and parking information, principal talk times and more.

Visit www.farn-ct.ac.uk/events to find our Open Event dates and register your place online.

What to expect at an Open Event

You will begin your journey at our University Centre Farnborough building, where our welcome team will greet you and help you to sign you in. In this building, you can:

• Find out about the financial, well-being, and learning support available to your son/daughter at college, as well as travel advice from our Learner Services Team
• Speak to our career adviser who can advise your child on their options
• Attend our welcome talks delivered by Principal Virginia Barrett

Once you have signed in, you will have the option to be shown around the College by one of our volunteer student ambassadors or explore the College by yourself. Lecturers will be available in their subject areas to tell you what our courses involve and show you where your son/daughter could be studying. Questions you may wish to ask lecturers could include:

• What are the entry requirements?
• What modules are covered on the course?
• How is the course taught?
• How is the course assessed?
• What trips and guest speakers are planned?
• What can you do after the course?

There will be lots of activities taking place throughout the event to help your child decide if the subject is right for them, from trying out our flight simulator in Engineering to watching our Music students perform.

How to apply

Applying for college is not as complicated as you may expect. You can apply online through our website – the application takes around 15 minutes to complete. Applications for college courses are open from October onwards – you can find out more about the process of applying here.

Your son/daughter can also apply for their course at one of our Open Events or Application Advice Sessions, where staff will be on hand to help.

For assistance with your application, please visit our ‘How to Apply’ webpage, or contact our Admissions Team via 01252 407028, admissions@farn-ct.ac.uk.